Middle East: Keeping Lebanon central bank’s Salamé was the right call

After months of uncertainty, the Lebanese government has finally approved Riad Salamé’s renewal at the head of the country’s central bank. It was right to reappoint him; now he should be left to work unfettered by political interests.

Riad Salamé

When asked by Euromoney mid-May if he would be staying on as governor, Riad Salamé summed up his state of mind with the words: “I’m working.” By that he meant he was focused on the task at hand and did not want to lose himself in speculation over whether or not his term, due to end on July 31, would be renewed.

In Lebanon’s banking community, many hoped he would keep on working and be offered a further mandate.

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